Using complementary therapies to manage pain in veterans

Complementary and Integrative Health for Pain in the VA: A National Demonstration Project

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · NIH-11061816

This study is looking at how well treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care, combined with self-care practices like meditation and yoga, can help veterans with chronic pain feel better and manage their pain more effectively.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11061816 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies, such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, for veterans suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain. It aims to determine whether combining self-care practices like meditation and yoga with practitioner-delivered therapies leads to better pain management outcomes. The study will involve multiple VA sites to gather data on the use and effectiveness of these therapies, addressing the current lack of availability and coding for CIH in electronic health records. By empowering veterans to take an active role in their pain management, the research seeks to improve overall health and well-being.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain, particularly those with mental health comorbidities.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic musculoskeletal pain or are not veterans may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide veterans with effective non-pharmacologic options for managing chronic pain and improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in the effectiveness of complementary therapies for pain management, indicating that this approach could yield significant benefits.

Where this research is happening

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: addictive disorder

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.